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South Side Street Closed Following Water Main Break

CHICAGO (STMW) – Some Back of the Yards neighborhood residents may have more than a foot of water in their basements because a “very big and very old’’ water pipe that dates back to the 1920s ruptured Saturday morning.

It happened at 8:30 a.m. in the 1300 block of West 47th Street, causing the street to “buckle,’’ and sending a “substantial’’ amount of water running through alleyways, according to City Dept. of Water spokesman Tom LaPorte.

No one’s water service is affected, however, some residents may have a foot or two of water in their basements in the area, LaPorte said.

The “very big” 24-inch water main dates back from the early 1920s and LaPorte said it may have broken because of its “very old’’ age.

“It’s met its time,’’ he said.

As of noon, LaPorte said water department crews remain on the scene and 47th Street between Racine and Ashland remains closed, he said.